More Resources

Responding to questions about the social service funding cuts,
Jean Chretien has said that Canadians will have to get used to a
health-care system that provides basic care but no frills. Intergovernmental
Affairs Minister Marcel Masse has suggested that the Canada Health
Act could be revised and the federal government could make deals
with provinces or groups of provinces. Paul Martin has suggested
that provinces may respond to decreased transfer payments by charging
user fees. These statements all suggest that the government is planning
to change or abandon the principles embodied in the Canada Health
Act.

The Canada Health Act protects the principle of universal health
care by mandating the federal government to reduce transfer payments
to provinces that allow user fees.

User fees penalize the sick and the poor, place barriers to access
in the way of those who need health care most, and would ultimate
destroy universal, high-quality care.

Health Minister Diane Marleau has said that she will enforce the
Canada Health Act and penalize provinces that are allowing user
fees. So far, Ms Marleau has penalized British Columbia, and given
Alberta until October to end user fees or face federal penalties.
Other provinces are also violating the Canada Health Act in ways
that the federal Health Ministry has yet to address. Nevertheless,
Ms Marleau's decision to enforce the Canada Health Act is wise,
and vital to preserving national health care. Since the budget,
Ms Marleau has issued a statement suggesting that she is still ready
to enforce the Canada Health Act and penalize provinces which allow
user fees.

The Liberal government's budget, in deeply slashing transfer payments
to the provinces for health and social service spending, has undermined
its moral authority to defend universal care. It now appears that,
despite Ms Marleau's resolve, the federal government may be ready
to abandon that responsibility altogether.

The Medical Reform Group, an organization of physicians dedicated
to the preservation of universal, high-quality medical care, calls
on the federal government to clarify its position on the Canada
Health Act.

The clarification must come from the Prime Minister, who must state
unequivocally that he will maintain universality by enforcing the
Canada Health Act. The Liberals must reassert their determination
to enact penalties to Alberta, and to other provinces which violate
the Canada Health Act, for allowing extra billing.

Anything less will mean further jeopardizing the health care system
that is crucial to the health of Canadians, and the cohesion of
our society.